CAM - fish

• 8 million indoor fish tanks, 6.5 million outdoor ponds
• Types of aquarium set up (indoor)

  • Cold freshwater - ponds or aquariums kept at room temperature usually below 20 degrees
  • Tropical freshwater - ideal temperature 24-27 degrees
  • Tropical marine - expensive and difficult to keep (slightly salty)
  • Brackish water - not necessarily used in aquariums
• Aquarium set up (indoor)


  • Electric heaters used
  • Salt used
  • Delicate environments (tropical)
• Aquarium size


  • Should be determined by the type of fish being purchased
  • Mature size fish should be taken into account
• Can be best to avoid starter kits
• Aquariums that are too small lead to


  • Stunted growth
  • Aggression
  • Poor water quality
• Minimum water per inch of fish


  One gallon (2.5 litres)
• Fish that need more water


  • Big fish
  • Active fish
  • Goldfish
  • Schooling fish
• Minimum water per inch of fish for fish that need more


  2 gallons per inch
• Not all space within tank is water, as variety is needed - decorative hides, substrate, filter, plants etc
• Considerations for aquarium location

  • Lighting - avoid placing in direct sunlight
  • Noise - avoid placing close to tv, speaker, washing machines
  • Heat - avoid placing close to external heat sources such as radiators
  • Stability - ensure the stand and floor will be able to support the total weight when filled
  • Temperature - need to be carefully managed
• Aquarium equipment


  • Filter
  • Heater
  • Lighting
• Filter


  • Removes excess food, decaying organic matter, free floating particulate, dangerous chemicals, fish waste products
  • Ensures a healthy environment
• Heater


  • Maintains appropriate water temperature to mimic natural environment
  • May use alarms to check heater management if away from fish tank for long periods of time
• Lighting


  • Simulates natural environment
  • Promotes health of fish, plants and bacteria
• Waste matter removal


  1. Ammonia created

  2. Ammonia converted into nitrite

  3. Nitrite converted to nitrate which can be used by plants
• Water change can only be done at half to a third of tank to reduce risk of shock
• Types of filter


  • Internal filter - cheap, suit small set up, easy to install, simple to maintain
  • External filters - large filter capacity, powerful pump, suit large tanks, more complex filtration
• Layers of external filter

  • Mechanical filter - use of physical barriers to remove solid waste products
  • Biological - beneficial bacteria (nitrifying) that break down ammonia and nitrite into nitrates
  • Chemical - addition of chemical additives (activated charcoal) to remove dissolved waste from water
• Water heater


  • Maintains safe water temperature for tropical fish
  • Needs to be in the water, otherwise only heating container
  • Temperature can be set using a dial
  • Includes a thermostat (if it doesn't have a thermostat do not use it)
  • Unplug the heater before taking out of the water
  • Want to be constant temperature - can judge temp preference based on where fish go either towards heater or away
  • Water is heat and electrical conductor - do not use anything with broken cord
  • Need to ensure that fish can't burn themselves on heating element
• Lighting types


  • Fluorescent lighting - bright, nice environment, creates heat
  • LED lighting - energy efficient, no heat, will not change temp, lots of colours available for aesthetics
• Aquarium substrate


  • Colonies of beneficial bacteria that are part of the nitrogen cycle
  • Creates a natural habitat for fish - especially important for bottom dwelling fish
  • Adds aesthetic appeal - second thing to consider after the benefits to fish
• Types of substrate


  • Gravel
  • Sand (difficult to clean)
  • Builders sand (spiky not nice for fish)
  • Aquarium sand (expensive, more suitable)
  • Do not use beach sand
• Setting up an aquarium


  1. Wash the aquarium, gravel and furnishings in plain water

  2. Add 2 inches substrate to cover the bottom

  3. Arrange furnishings

  4. Add room temp treated water but do not completely fill

  5. Install heater, do not turn on for 15 mins

  6. Install filter

  7. Top up water to fill line

  8. Place hoof and lighting

  9. Ensure all power cords are not in contact with water before turning on

  10. Wait - add ammonia to allow for fishless cycling, this allows bacteria to ingest ammonia to test that the cycle is working

  11. Only add fish when there is no ammonia or nitrite registering
• Adding fish


  1. Only add one or two new fish at a time

  2. Float the fish bag in the tank to allow acclimatisation to the water temperature - do not let tank water into bag

  3. Add one cup of tank water to the bag to allow acclimatisation to the water pH and leave for 20 mins

  4. Repeat with another cup of water and leave for 20 mins

  5. Transfer fish into tank using a net - do not want to put water from previous tank into new tank

  6. Do not feed for 24 hours

  7. Too many changes too quickly can cause shock
• Maintain an aquarium


  1. Weekly - hoover substrate, clean glass

  2. Fortnightly - clean filter, partial water change - quarter or third of water

  3. Monthly - water test for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate

  4. Periodically - replace filter media and lights
• Fish feeding


  • Usually fed once or twice a day
  • Avoid overfeeding
  • Make sure no uneaten food at bottom after 10 mins
  • Use a hoover to remove excess food